As I walked down by the riverside,
one evening in the spring,
heard a long gone song from days gone by
blown in on the great north wind.
Though there is no lonesome corncrake’s cry
of sorrow and delight,
you can hear the cars, and the shouts from bars,
and the laughter and the fights.
May the ghosts that howled round the house at night
never keep you from your sleep,
may they all sleep tight down in hell tonight,
or wherever they may be.
As I walked on with a heavy heart,
then a stone danced on the tide
and the song went on though the lights were gone,
and the north wind gently sighed.
And an evening breeze coming from the East
that kissed the riverside.
So I pray now, child, that you sleep tonight
when you hear this lullaby.
May the wind that blows from haunted graves
never bring you misery,
may the angels bright watch you tonight
and keep you while you sleep.